Satellite Beach resident Bonnie McGone begins scaling the rock climbing wall at On the Edge Rock Climbing Gym in Melbourne. The runner-turned-climber joined the sport two years ago.

Written by

Angela Smith
| For FLORIDA TODAY

With rope in hand, yelling encouragement from below, Liz Cassella of Melbourne Beach cheers on fellow gym member Bonnie McGone during a recent workout.

"You have this," says Cassella, reassuring McGone, who is 15 feet above, working her way up a vertical-sloped wall that is patterned with protrusions of varying shapes, sizes and colors.

"It's moments like this that make working out something fun and friendly," Cassella said as she belayed (held climbing rope) for McGone. "Sometimes you need someone willing to be right there with you." ...